ABSTRACT
Since transportation is such an important component of contemporary society, capable of producing significant benefits, yet giving rise to many negative externalities, appropriate policies need to be devised to maximize the benefits and minimize the inconveniences. At the same time, the allocation, design and construction of transport infrastructure and services must be subject to careful planning, both by public and private agencies. A distinction must be drawn between policy and planning, since the former usually relates to the strategies and goals, while the latter refers to concrete actions. Because they both have to reflect the fundamental changes in society and contemporary issues and problems, policies and planning are constantly changing. For instance, the changing orientation of public policy led to deregulation in many transport sectors. Among the core policy issues, transport safety and security have come to the forefront. Natural and man-made disasters are also serious challenges for transport planning.
